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  <title>Roll 'Bama Roll</title>
  <subtitle>The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs</subtitle>
  <updated>2012-05-17T16:20:28Z</updated>
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    <published>2012-05-17T16:20:28Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-17T16:20:28Z</updated>
    <title>Bateman visited seven schools, and at each of them coaches threw out varying recruiting tactics....</title>
    <content type="html">&lt;blockquote&gt;
  &lt;p&gt;Bateman visited seven schools, and at each of them coaches threw out varying recruiting tactics. Each university had a locker with a jersey bearing his name prominently displayed. Auburn sent him — and his mother — around campus with a set of attractive twin sisters.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;"It was kind of weird," he said, "but I guess that’s how they do it."&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;He added: "Everyone, of course, tried to put on a show. If anything, Alabama did the least of that."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
  
&lt;div class="source"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/tribpreps/54125249-190/bateman-utah-alabama-quarterback.html.csp"&gt;Prep football: Cottonwood QB Cooper Bateman commits to Alabama | The Salt Lake Tribune&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;WHATS THAT BATEMAN KID GOT AGAINST PRETTY GIRLS #PAWWL?! MUST BE FROM FRUITAH, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content>
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    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/17/3026661/bateman-visited-seven-schools-and-at-each-of-them-coaches-threw-out</id>
    <author>
      <name>Todd</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <published>2012-05-17T14:32:03Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-17T14:32:03Z</updated>
    <title>Tide fans already anticipating season opener against Michigan (podcast) | al.com</title>
    <content type="html">&lt;h3 class="link-title"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/tide_fans_already_anticipating.html"&gt;Tide fans already anticipating season opener against Michigan (podcast) |&amp;nbsp;al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;div class="description"&gt;&lt;p&gt;In which Todd gets a little animated in his disdain for Steve Spurrier, and suggest Les Miles would totally box a kangaroo if someone mentioned it as a possible tie breaker for the divisional crown. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content>
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    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/17/3026413/tide-fans-already-anticipating-season-opener-against-michigan-podcast</id>
    <author>
      <name>Todd</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <published>2012-05-17T12:59:54Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-17T12:59:54Z</updated>
    <title>The Jumbo Package | 5.17.12</title>
    <content type="html">
  
  
    &lt;img alt="Conference champions that meet a certain standard? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. LOL." height="300" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/4064569/136430998_extra_large.jpg" width="450" /&gt;
  





  &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.theacc.com/genrel/051612aae.html"&gt;ACC Announces Future Sport Structure After 2012 Spring Meetings - The Official Athletic Site of the Atlantic Coast Conference&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Swofford said schools considered options for a four-team playoff model  and expressed a "strong preference" for one that would incorporate the  bowls for at least the two semifinals _ if not also the championship  game. He said the schools also would opt for a selection process that  gives preference to conference champions.  "They felt that was important as it relates to the regular season and as  it relates to the meaningfulness of being a champion in order to play  for the national championship," Swofford said. "So there's a preference  there for incorporating conference champions into this, as best it could  be done. And it may be difficult to make it four conference champions,  but the feeling was, look at a hybrid that includes conference champions  that meet a certain standard within the rankings. ... Maybe there's an  at-large berth open. So we're interested in looking at that type of  model first, as well as consideration of a 1-2-3-4 ranking model."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/5/16/3024817/big-ten-pinstripe-bowl-rose-bowl"&gt;The Big Ten Has A Very Complicated Relationship With Cold Weather - From Our Editors - SBNation.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Let's say Ohio State is hosting and it's January or December, and let's  say it is 5 degrees. Is that right for the game? We're not pro." --  Gene Smith on the Big Ten ruling out playoff games at home stadiums, May  15&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"New York City is the financial sports capital of the world. It's a  global city like Chicago. We'll have conversations with them." -- Jim  Delany on the Big Ten looking into December's outdoor Pinstripe Bowl,  May 16&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This all comes after a lifetime's worth of implications that  weather-deprived teams from the pampered South would need to wheel  enormous tubs of sizzling pork grease onto their sidelines just to  survive a December game up North, though that one wasn't exactly an  official Big Ten statement.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/big_ten_fans_chill_the_griping.html"&gt;Big Ten fans: Chill the griping about SEC football weather patterns | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Bad weather? The NFL embraces it and thrives as the most-successful  sports league on the planet. Campus sites only help the Big Ten? Current  Big Ten teams would have been a semifinal host 10 times under the BCS,  the same as the Pac-12 and fewer than the SEC (14) and Big 12 (13).  Instead, the Big Ten says campus sites would hurt the bowl experience  for players. Yet the Big Ten correctly supports changing bowl  eligibility from 6-6 to 7-5 that would kill some bowls. Apparently, all  bowl experiences aren't created equal.  The Big Ten could have at least pushed for open bidding on the  semifinals, potentially moving some "neutral" games out of the South.  Domed semifinals in Detroit and Indianapolis -- where the Big Ten avoids  the cold for its comfy conference championship -- would pump money into  the Midwest's economy, save travel costs for Big Ten fans, and help the  league's chances to win.  Instead, the Big Ten clings to the Rose Bowl, which undeniably is a  valuable property. Big Ten fans and players love going to Pasadena.  But think they might want to win national titles, too? Think they might  want home-field playoff advantage to finally silence the SEC?  The Big Ten demonstrated once and for all it doesn't crave trophies like  the SEC. Frankly, who does?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://bamahammer.com/2012/05/17/sec-must-jim-delanys-attempts-to-manipulate-college-football/"&gt;SEC Must Resist Jim Delany's Attempts to Manipulate College Football - Bama Hammer - An Alabama Crimson Tide Fan Site&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;That the Southeastern Conference is the strongest football conference in  the country is beyond dispute. Its champion has won five of the last  six BCS Championships, and lost the last one to SEC rival Alabama. And  it&amp;rsquo;s not a question of outspending, either; the SEC has only the  third-highest television contract among the major conferences, and  Alabama is behind Texas and Ohio State in total revenue.  The SEC has the strong hand in this battle. They must make a firm stand  against the NCAA and those member organizations that want to carve up  the college football landscape into an Upward football,  everyone-gets-a-trophy league where everybody makes money and nobody has  to work hard to excel.  What we are seeing in the statements by conference officials is an  admission that their teams cannot win a national championship on the  field, so it must be won in the public relations department. Once again,  a superior product that has vanquished its competition must be  sacrificed on the altar of fairness and parity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/43578/schedule-analysis-alabama-2"&gt;Schedule analysis: Alabama - SEC Blog - ESPN&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Telltale stretch: Alabama faces three road tests in a four-week stretch  beginning with Missouri on Oct. 13 in Columbia, Mo. A trip to Tennessee  follows the next week and then it's back home to face Mississippi State  on Oct. 27. You can bet that the Crimson Tide will get all three teams'  best shots, which will make that trip to Baton Rouge to face LSU on Nov.  3 all the more difficult.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/rapid_reaction_from_alabama_qb.html"&gt;Rapid reaction from Alabama QB commit Cooper Bateman's offensive coordinator, national experts | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"He's one of our top targets as well. He was one of the first  quarterbacks we invited to the Under Armour All-American Game. We've  been excited about him as well. This is a class that is long on pocket  passers. That's a little bit unique because the last couple of classes  have had a lot of dual-threat type guys. Bateman's the type of guy that  fits into Alabama's scheme. He's a drop-back guy that fits into  Alabama's scheme. He's a drop-back guy that can play from under center,  he can play out of the shotgun. He has a great feeling for timing,  anticipation, ball-handling skills. He can make all the columns of a  throw that you want him to make in the pocket. I think it's a fantastic  marriage between a school's offensive philosophy and Bateman's skill  set."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/former_tide_star_andre_smith_t.html"&gt;Andre Smith, former Tide star, turning things around after rough start in NFL | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Last year I wasn't in as good (of) shape as I could have been, but it  was the smallest I'd been in the NFL so I was able to maintain it  playing the game," Smith said. "This year I want to be in tip-top shape.  Put together strength and wind so I can breathe."  Smith is currently weighing in at 330 pounds and said he hopes to be  down to 325 in the near future.  With the Bengals opting not to pick up Smith's $6 million option to  renew his contract for two more seasons, the left tackle finds himself  in a contract year, looking to prove himself to either the Bengals or to  any other interested teams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2012/5/16/3023970/college-sports-revenue-breakdown-texas-ohio-state-florida"&gt;How Texas Beat Everyone in Revenue - Team Speed Kills&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Texas is way out ahead before you even get to the final "Other"  category. It's primary advantage in revenue is that it both charges high  ticket prices and is big in donations and contributions. All the rest  of the schools are big in one but not the other. As long as Texas fans  continue to be willing to shell that out, the Longhorns will remain on  top.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1366279"&gt;TideSports.com - Tide-WVU game on horizon&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;UA coach Nick Saban is a West Virginia native, a former Mountaineers  assistant coach, and according to West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin,  favored West Virginia's entry into the Southeastern Conference during  the league's recent expansion move. The Crimson Tide's future scheduling  also includes a home-and-home series with another school with ties to  Saban, Michigan State, in 2016-2017.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/201205160283"&gt;WVU-Alabama game in the works for 2014  - Charleston Daily Mail &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;WVU deputy director of athletics Mike Parsons confirmed the game "is in  the works" and that some details need to be finalized before any  announcement can be made. It would be played in Atlanta's Georgia Dome.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://alabama.247sports.com/Article/Director-of-Player-Personnel-Marynowitz-joining-the-Eagles-74063"&gt;Director of Player Personnel Marynowitz joining the Eagles - 247Sports&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to sources, Director of Player Personnel Ed Marynowitz, is  leaving the University of Alabama Football program to accept a job in  the Philadelphia Eagles organization&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/5/15/3021688/demarcus-walker-top-8-official-visit"&gt;Demarcus Walker Announces Top 8 And Plans To Take All 5 Official Visits - SBNation.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Two schools in Walker's list run a dedicated 3-4 defense (Alabama and  Tennessee), while several others, including Florida, run at least some  variations of the scheme. This could be important as Walker keeps  growing, because he may not be agile enough to play defensive end in a  4-3 if he ends up at 290 pounds. That's not to say that Walker is not a  good player. He's excellent. It's just a reminder that recruits are kids  and they often grow a lot during and after high school.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/may/16/j-mccarron-court-ar-3805799/"&gt;A.J. McCarron In Court | WKRG&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The quarterback of the BCS national champions takes the stand.  Crimson Tide star &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78259/a-j-mccarron" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;A.J. McCarron&lt;/a&gt; was a witness for the prosecution in a  burglary trial this afternoon.  Eugene Adams, jr. is accused of breaking into A.J.'s dad's house in  March of 2010. A.J. was a redshirt freshman at Alabama, but was home for  spring break, and was there when the burglary occurred.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;



</content>
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    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/17/3026213/the-jumbo-package-5-17-12</id>
    <author>
      <name>Todd</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <published>2012-05-17T02:44:55Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-17T02:44:55Z</updated>
    <title>Alabama vs West Virginia: WE MUST PROTECT THIS COUCH!</title>
    <content type="html">
  
  
    &lt;img alt="Right now, the only two things we're absolutely sure can stop this man are bourbon and burning couches. " height="299" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/4061899/136433249_extra_large.jpg" width="450" /&gt;
  





  &lt;p&gt;OK, by now you've heard what has &lt;a href="http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/16/3025316/and-heres-your-piping-hot-scheduling-rumor-of-the-day-were-monitoring" target="_blank"&gt;lit up the college football interwebs&lt;/a&gt; this afternoon, Alabama and West Virginia are looking at a matchup in the 2014 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. Numerous sources claim Coach Saban has said this at recent Crimson Caravan events and, earlier this afternoon,  &lt;i&gt;The Charleston Daily Mail'&lt;/i&gt;s WVU beat writer, Mike Casazza, confirmed it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This WVU v. Alabama thing is basically done done. I'm told the juggling is finished and the one 2014 opponent has disappeared.&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/mikecasazza/status/202940145765330944" data-datetime="2012-05-17T01:54:35+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;That "done done" wasn't a typo, he &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/#!/mikecasazza/status/202940858226585600" target="_blank"&gt;tweeted later&lt;/a&gt;. " That was how level of confidence was conveyed to me." Casazza later followed up with &lt;a href="http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/201205160283" target="_blank"&gt;a bona fide story&lt;/a&gt; on the developments citing WVU deputy director of athletics Mike Parsons as his source. So, alrighty then... looks like we are good to go.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of course we still need to get a confirmation from the Alabama side and, like all of these types of things, some detail in the negotiations could derail things at the last minute. But it's seeming pretty likely that a matchup between Holgorsen's shoot-out-the-lights offense and Saban's bone crushing defense is gonna happen.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;So, after the jump, let's check out some of the initial reactions to the news...&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;WVU-Bama to open the 2014 season is a perfect time for Holgo to unveil his spin on the A-11 offense.&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/BrianMFloyd/status/202929474889723905" data-datetime="2012-05-17T01:12:11+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Bama - WVU to open 2014. Whew. Big balls Mounties, big balls. I like it.&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; Matt (@MHFaulkner) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/MHFaulkner/status/202919478403661824" data-datetime="2012-05-17T00:32:28+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;WVU/Bama in Atlanta in 2014 is an appropriate way to mark the 150th anniversary of Sherman burning the city down.&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; Voodoo 5 (@usfvoodoo5) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/usfvoodoo5/status/202908854122586112" data-datetime="2012-05-16T23:50:15+00:00"&gt;May 16, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We're gonna lose by 30! Yay! RT @&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/wvumills"&gt;wvumills&lt;/a&gt;: WVU vs. Bama in Hotlanta in 2014 to open the season...ok!!&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; Donald Butcher (@donnyb5) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/donnyb5/status/202943085506867200" data-datetime="2012-05-17T02:06:16+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I'm already standing outside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta waiting for the Bama vs WVU kickoff in 2014. &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523diehard"&gt;#diehard&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; Andrew A Spurlock (@AndrewSpurlock) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewSpurlock/status/202913376312115202" data-datetime="2012-05-17T00:08:13+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Really excited about WVU/Bama to open the 2014 season. Can't wait to see what Houston Nutt does with that Bama offense.&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; edsbs (@edsbs) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/status/202959570740592640" data-datetime="2012-05-17T03:11:47+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;if "Wagon Wheel" isnt just on a continuous loop in the GA Dome before the &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Bama"&gt;#Bama&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523WVU"&gt;#WVU&lt;/a&gt; game, then thats a massive fail on everyone involved&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; justin beckett (@beckett929) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/beckett929/status/202949225544294401" data-datetime="2012-05-17T02:30:40+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;And, lastly, just pop over to Smart Football's twitter timeline to get his running commentary on what he expects of the matchup. It's full of observations like this...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Saban will just treat the Airraid like he was back with the Cleveland Browns facing the Run and shoot Oilers&lt;/p&gt;
&amp;mdash; Smart Football (@smartfootball) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/smartfootball/status/202930042018336768" data-datetime="2012-05-17T01:14:26+00:00"&gt;May 17, 2012&lt;/a&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;



</content>
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    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/16/3025627/alabama-vs-west-virginia-we-must-protect-this-couch</id>
    <author>
      <name>kleph</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <published>2012-05-17T02:26:08Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-17T02:26:08Z</updated>
    <title>QB Cooper Bateman Commits to Alabama</title>
    <content type="html">
  




  &lt;p&gt;Nick Saban and company went a long way today towards solidifying the long-term outlook of the quarterback position at Alabama by landing Cooper Bateman, the 6'3 and 210 pound quarterback prospect out Salt Lake City, Utah. Bateman made his commitment public earlier this morning with a press release, the relevant excerpt of which is provided by the &lt;a href="http://blogs.tennesseevalleynow.com/bamablog/2012/05/16/breaking-quarterback-commits-to-alabama/"&gt;Daily 'Bama Blog&lt;/a&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"This has been a great time in my life, I have had the rare  opportunity to be able to choose from many great schools that would  allow me to get a college degree and continue to play the game that I  love.This has been a very difficult decision only because I was able to  meet and get to know so many wonderful coaches at so many great  universities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"I have chosen to attend the University of Alabama. I am honored that  I will get to learn from Coach Saban and Coach Nussmeier and will get  to represent Alabama, the state and the University. I want to thank my  coaches at Cottonwood for all they have done for me and mostly to my  parents who have made this all possible."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Consider this an addition that speaks for itself. Bateman held offers from nearly every school in the country, and most recruiting services have him as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. In terms of his caliber as a prospect, he is very similar to what AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims were prior to matriculating to Tuscaloosa. He is less of a developmental project and more of someone who can legitimately be considered a viable starting candidate in the intermediate-to-long term, and if he can live up to the billing he will likely be the starting quarterback at Alabama as a second-year player in 2014.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In terms of a physical skill set, Bateman has all the attributes that coaches desire. Very few quarterbacks possess good size, a strong arm, and above-average mobility, but Bateman brings all three into the fold and that is the main reason why he comes as heavily regarded as he does. He's no surefire bet for the next level, of course, and admittedly the footwork needs further development, he will have to transition to an offense that typically operates with the quarterback under center, and coming out of the Utah prep ranks will not make for an easy acclimation to the SEC. Even so, the shortcomings generally pale in comparison to the outstanding physical tools.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;On the whole, adding Bateman has to induce a major sigh of relief from the coaching staff. With the transfer of Phillip Sims the future of the quarterback position is very much up in the air in Tuscaloosa, and there is no guarantee that either Phillip Ely or Alec Morris will ever be able to be a viable player of SEC caliber. Both were signed as developmental projects of varying degrees, and by adding a prospect with the physical skill set of Bateman there is more certainty with respect to having a player at the position who can play at an acceptable level against quality competition. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Given the shortage of depth at quarterback, it has generally been assumed that Alabama would sign two quarterbacks in this class, and with Bateman in the fold it gives the 'Bama staff additional time to evaluate other quarterback prospects during summer camp and the upcoming prep football season. Riley Ferguson of North Carolina, for example, has been strongly linked to Alabama as a possibility, for example, but getting the verbal commitment of a prospect such as Bateman provides the luxury of further evaluations before making any firm personnel decisions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Finally, it would be an omission not to note that there could be some concerns about Bateman keeping his commitment through this January because he is the caliber of prospect that opposing coaches will continue to recruit -- and the fact that he is roughly 1,800 miles from Tuscaloosa will surely create some concern -- but Bateman intends to enroll early and for now it seems he plans to shut down his recruitment and not take any other visits. There is nothing at the moment to indicate that this will be a major problem, but it should be duly noted from the outset as a possibility.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Bateman becomes the twelfth commitment of the 2013 recruiting class.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Addendum&lt;/b&gt;: Todd posted his junior clip earlier, but here are some sophomore highlights from &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP9Kz-Yw7gA"&gt;YouTube&lt;/a&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
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</content>
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    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/16/3024981/qb-cooper-bateman-commits-to-alabama</id>
    <author>
      <name>outsidethesidelines</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <published>2012-05-16T14:47:09Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-16T14:47:09Z</updated>
    <title>Cooper Bateman Commits to Alabama

You know that whole "we need a solid QB commit in this class...</title>
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&lt;div class="source source-img"&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/cooper_bateman_one_of_the_top-.html" target="new"&gt;Cooper Bateman Commits to Alabama&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;You know that whole "we need a solid QB commit in this class with Phillip Sims gone" problem? Solved. Bateman is a four star prospect out of Salt Lake City, UT. Rated the #6 QB prospect by 247Sports, Bateman's final "top five" were Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Washington and Florida.  Good to see we're still recruiting on a national level to fill immediate needs that can't be met within our typical recruiting area.  His statement:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;"This has been a great time in my life, I have had the rare opportunity to be able to choose from many great schools that would allow me to get a college degree and continue to play the game that I love. This has been a very difficult decision only because I was able to meet and get to know so many wonderful coaches at so many great universities. I have chosen to attend the University of Alabama. I am honored that I will get to learn from Coach Saban and Coach Nussmeier and will get to represent Alabama, the state and the University. I want to thank my coaches at Cottonwood for all they have done for me and mostly to my parents who have made this all possible."&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;UPDATE: &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2012/5/16/3024090/alabama-football-recruiting-cooper-bateman-commits-quarterback-alabama" target="new"&gt;via SBNation's story&lt;/a&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;On the field, the first thing that jumps out about Bateman is his arm. It's huge. Bateman can easily make all of the throws. He plays from the shotgun, but shows the athleticism to be able to play from under center. There's really not much to dislike about Bateman's game. Granted, it's a highlight tape, but he is very accurate, leads his receivers well, throws with timing, touch and anticipation, etc. His release doesn't look to have any major issues, and it appears that Alabama has a good one on its hands here.
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Cooper-Bateman-124262" target="new"&gt;Rivals Profile&lt;/a&gt; - &lt;a href="http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&amp;p=8&amp;c=1&amp;nid=5650475" target="new"&gt;Scout Profile&lt;/a&gt; - &lt;a href="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/140417/cooper-bateman" target="new"&gt;ESPNU Profile &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content>
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    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/16/3024109/cooper-bateman-commits-to-the-alabama-this-has-been-a-great-time-in</id>
    <author>
      <name>Todd</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <published>2012-05-16T12:40:43Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-16T12:40:43Z</updated>
    <title>The Jumbo Package | 5.16.12</title>
    <content type="html">
  




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&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/tide_rides_reputation_as_natio.html"&gt;Tide rides reputation as nation's top DB producer (videos) | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With six Crimson Tide defensive backs chosen in the NFL Draft in the  last four years, Alabama has earned a reputation as arguably the  nation's top producer of talent in the secondary.  Nick Saban and his staff have made defensive back a major position of  priority on the recruiting trail every year at Alabama and the Class of  2013 figures to be no different, according to BamaOnline recruiting  analyst Tim Watts.  "Nick Saban is very particular when it comes to the defensive back  positions. Especially corners," Watts said. "All told I think they will  add four, maybe five when all is said and done. In every class they look  for a couple of elite guys at those positions."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1365863"&gt;TideSports.com - It's still spring for Saban&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As is the norm, Saban fielded questions on Tuesday about local players  on the Crimson Tide roster - in this case, cornerback Deion Belue and  H-back &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136279/brent-calloway" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;Brent Calloway&lt;/a&gt; of nearby Russellville.  "Deion and Brent both had really good springs," Saban said. "I think  they will contribute. I am proud of the way they've done things."  Saban also mentioned Belue, who played two years at Northeast  Mississippi Junior College after graduating from Deshler High School in  nearby Tuscumbia, as one of "two new guys" who have a chance to  contribute "for sure" after going through spring practice. The other was  running back T.J. Yeldon.  "Hopefully, we'll satisfy some more needs on our team with some of the  players who are coming in this summer," Saban said.  "The biggest thing a freshman has to do is to mature into his role, and  you can never be 100 percent sure how they will do that."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/notes_and_quotes_from_nick_sab.html"&gt;Notes and quotes from Nick Saban's appearance in Florence: A DeAndrew White update, praise for Brent Calloway and more | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"I really do miss spring recruiting and not being able to go on the  road," Saban said. "We've adapted and my involvement is talking on video  conferences and the telephone. Try to do as much as I can in evaluation  and get ready for next year's opponents.  "When our players come back, we start our camps and we can't work with  our players in the summertime but our strength and conditioning coaches  do that. Try to get ready and prepare for the season."  Saban said he'll be able to take some genuine downtime midway through  June after all of the team's summer camps.  "You just got to shut down sometimes," Saban said. "It's important for  the coaches to do that and it's certainly important for our support  staff to be able to do that.  "Our strength and conditioning coaches' down time is now. When the  players aren't there. They come back and slowly take over in the  summertime.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/nick_saban_skeptical_of_steve.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter"&gt;Nick Saban skeptical of Steve Spurrier's proposal to count only division games toward division championships | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"I just think that's one of those things that's not always going to be  controlled," Saban said. "It's not manipulated with who you play. We  have a rotation, we have to go through it.  "I think the other division games you play on the other side are  important to our fans and there's a lot of tradition involved in some of  those games. I think if you minimize the importance of those games,  that wouldn't be in the best interest of our league."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/andy_staples/05/15/playoff.committee.ap/index.html?eref=twitter_feed"&gt;NCAA would be wise to use selection committee for potential four-team playoff - Andy Staples - SI.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A mover-shaker type asked me an excellent playoff question at the ACC  spring meetings this week.  How do you avoid a Stanford-Oregon situation?  As conference leaders across the country hammer out their playoff  preferences during the next few weeks, that question will dominate the  conversation. It seems clear leaders know what they want (a four-team  playoff) and where they want the semifinals played (in bowls), but they  can't seem to agree on who should make the field and how that group  should be selected.  ACC and Big Ten leaders threw their support behind a model that gives  preference to conference champions. The Big Ten would like to see  conference champions within the top six in the playoff. Those leagues  will face staunch opposition from the SEC, which will sensibly argue  that the four best teams regardless of affiliation should make the  tournament. But no matter how that debate ends, the next step should be  the creation of a blue-ribbon selection committee to pick the teams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/notebook/_/page/SECspringwrap/sec-spring-wrap-2012"&gt;SEC spring wrap 2012 - ESPN&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While defending national champion Alabama is down a handful of stellar  defensive starters from last season's historic season, the Crimson Tide  can't be counted out. The defense has more than capable players ready to  fill holes. &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78265/nico-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;Nico Johnson&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115126/c-j-mosley" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;C.J. Mosley&lt;/a&gt; are ready to take over at  linebacker, while &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/131860/jesse-williams" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;Jesse Williams&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35192/damion-square" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;Damion Square&lt;/a&gt; will lead up front.  The secondary still has veterans &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/112706/dee-milliner" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;Dee Milliner&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35175/robert-lester" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;Robert Lester&lt;/a&gt; and  welcomes junior college studs Deion Belue and Travell Dixon.  "We're going to be younger on defense. We don't have as much experience,  but we've got some good players," coach Nick Saban said.  "I was pleased with the progress that we made -- not satisfied with  where we need to be."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://bamahammer.com/2012/05/16/aj-mccarron-a-different-kind-of-throwback/"&gt;AJ McCarron: A Different Kind of Throwback - Bama Hammer - An Alabama Crimson Tide Fan Site&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When sports fans hear the word throwback, they think of classic jerseys  and leather helmets and players like black-shod, crew cut-wearing Johnny  Unitas. In short, they think of the type of wholesome, quiet  quarterback that has always stood under center at the Capstone.  McCarron doesn&amp;rsquo;t fit the mold of the traditional Alabama quarterback;  you know, the quiet, humble game manager that trots onto the field to  dutifully hand the ball off to his tailback. The Crimson Tide&amp;rsquo;s  offensive leader is supposed to manage the game, give the defense a  breather, and be on the field to take a knee when the game is well in  hand.  McCarron is no game manager. In fact, a case can be made that Tide fans  haven&amp;rsquo;t seen his like around Tuscaloosa since a couple of guys named Joe  Willie and Snake were on campus.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.remembertherosebowl.com/2012/05/jefferson-jackson-coleman.html" target="_blank"&gt;Remember the Rose Bowl: Jefferson Jackson Coleman&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more than half a century, Jeff Coleman served as an administrator for the University of Alabama athletics department overseeing an era of massive growth made possible partially due to the success of the Crimson Tide football program.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/may/15/missouri-qb-arrested-leaving-scene-accident/?tigerextra"&gt;Missouri QB arrested for leaving scene of accident Tiger Extra - Mizzou Sports | ColumbiaTribune.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Berkstresser took over the No. 1 quarterback job during spring practices  when returning starter &lt;a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115134/james-franklin" class="sbn-auto-link"&gt;James Franklin&lt;/a&gt; suffered a torn labrum in his  throwing shoulder, which required surgery March 23. Berkstresser, who  will be a redshirt freshman this fall, ran the first-team offense the  rest of the spring and was expected to lead the offense during summer  passing sessions, which begin later this month. The team&amp;rsquo;s medical staff  expected Franklin back for the start of the season, but it&amp;rsquo;s unclear  how much, if any, practice time he&amp;rsquo;ll miss during preseason camp in  August.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/tide_football_signee_visits_yo.html"&gt;Tide football signee visits young cancer patient in hospital | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"It was very nice of Geno," said Grace's mother, Cindy Buckel. "He's  kind of a quiet guy, very unassuming. Grace was very surprised when he  walked in. She enjoyed having him in the room. They took pictures, and  they just talked."  "Even the doctor that came in to check on her during that time knew who  Geno was, and asked for his autograph, which I thought was kind of  funny. She enjoyed the time he was there. It made the time go by  faster."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2012-05-15/grad-transfer-rule-should-be-celebrated-not-blasted-by-coaches-such-as-tom-izzo-"&gt;Grad transfer rule should be celebrated&amp;mdash;not blasted&amp;mdash;by coaches such as Tom Izzo, Bo Ryan - NCAA Basketball - Sporting News&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When the hierarchy of the National Association of Basketball Coaches met  recently to discuss whether the NCAA should overturn the graduate  transfer rule, they held their discussions in private. Oh, you bet they  did. They issued no press releases regarding their talks. Of course they  did not.  How, really, would even the most skilled public relations strategist  have spun this?  How does one explain that the coaches &amp;mdash; as a group &amp;mdash; are campaigning to  NCAA president Mark Emmert against a rule that emphasizes education,  that rewards the successful pursuit of a degree, that reinforces the  value of senior athletes?  All that is at work in the graduate transfer exception. To qualify to be  immediately eligible upon transferring schools, the "student-athlete"  must complete degree work at his current institution and then pursue an  advanced degree at his new school.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/saints_marquis_johnson_worth_a.html"&gt;Saints: Marquis Johnson worth a look because of Alabama background | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;But there's more than the prior relationship in St. Louis that makes  [Marquis] Johnson an intriguing prospect, Spagnuolo said this week.  There's his background of playing defense in Nick Saban's system at  Alabama.  "We've said it and (interim head coach) Joe (Vitt) and I have talked  about it a lot -- that these players that come out of this Alabama  program, especially on defense, for whatever reason (have been  impressive)," Spagnuolo said. "I think we know the reason. They have  good coaching down there.   "Marquis has shown that. Marquis is new here and has some things to work  through. He knows that. It's a second chance. We'll give him a good  look."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/story/_/id/7930847/los-angeles-memorial-commission-hands-control-coliseum-usc-trojans"&gt;Los Angeles Memorial Commission hands control of Coliseum to USC Trojans - ESPN Los Angeles&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;USC now obtains the master lease for the 88-year-old stadium, giving the  university the exclusive right to use, manage and operate the facility.  USC has wanted to gain control of the Coliseum for years and will  finally do so after commission members acknowledged last year they would  be unable to keep their promise to USC to make $50 million in  improvements to the aging facility.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/college_football_hall_of_fame_4.html"&gt;College Football Hall of Fame spits on Derrick Thomas' grave | al.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of the 76 former college football players that were nominated, only 14  were voted in, and the most impactful college linebacker of the last  quarter century wasn't one of them.  Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com wrote that no school can have a player selected  two straight years. Hmmm.  If that's the case, after three straight years in which an Alabama  linebacker (Woodrow Lowe), an Alabama coach (Gene Stallings) and an  Alabama defensive lineman (Marty Lyons) earned the necessary votes, why  even put Thomas on the ballot just to leave him there?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20120514/NEWS/120519874?p=1&amp;tc=pg"&gt;Petunias sprout through Tuscaloosa | TuscaloosaNews.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The April 27, 2011, tornado cut a jagged gash through the city nearly  six miles long, leaving destruction and debris where homes, businesses  and trees once stood.  But now, pale purple and white flowers have popped up all along the  tornado&amp;rsquo;s path.  Petunias have sprouted in backyards, on vacant lots and next to busy  roadways, and it&amp;rsquo;s not entirely clear how the perky funnel-shaped blooms  came to be there, although there are some theories.  "They came from Brown&amp;rsquo;s," said Margaret Brown, who with her husband,  Daniel, owns Brown&amp;rsquo;s Nursery on Crescent Ridge Road. When the tornado  struck the nursery, the force scattered the contents of their 16  greenhouses far and wide. It was less than two weeks before Mother&amp;rsquo;s  Day. "(That) was our busiest time of the year," she said. "Our  greenhouses were packed to the gills."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;



</content>
    <link type="text/html" rel="alternate" href="http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/16/3023833/the-jumbo-package-5-16-12" />
    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/16/3023833/the-jumbo-package-5-16-12</id>
    <author>
      <name>Todd</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
  <entry>
    <published>2012-05-15T21:40:10Z</published>
    <updated>2012-05-15T21:40:10Z</updated>
    <title>Interested In Sports Blogging? Don't Miss This Week's Classes</title>
    <content type="html">&lt;h3 class="link-title"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.nunesmagician.com/2012/5/14/3019551/blogging-classes-online-learn-to-blog-blogger-sean-keeley-sports"&gt;Interested In Sports Blogging? Don't Miss This Week's&amp;nbsp;Classes&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;div class="description"&gt;&lt;p&gt;Excuse this Syracuse fan for intruding since we haven't had much in common&lt;a href="http://www.nunesmagician.com/2011/4/24/2127802/avatus-stone-the-man-who-didnt-break-the-orange-bowl-color-barrier" target="new"&gt; since the 1953 Orange Bowl,&lt;/a&gt; but the RBR guys were kind enough to let me share info on my upcoming blogging classes. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you're interested in starting your own blog or growing your current blog's audience, I wanted to invite you to check out the online blogging classes I'm doing this week. Intro To Blogging, Blogging 2.0 and Sports Blogging 101.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Even if you can't make it live, you can receive videos and slides from the class. Thanks for the time and now let's all go back to despising one another...&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content>
    <link type="text/html" rel="alternate" href="http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/15/3022765/interested-in-sports-blogging-dont-miss-this-weeks-classes" />
    <id>http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2012/5/15/3022765/interested-in-sports-blogging-dont-miss-this-weeks-classes</id>
    <author>
      <name>Sean Keeley</name>
    </author>
  </entry>
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